A Letter to My Former Bullies

I was naive back then, and you took advantage of my trust. It was hard settling among kids who already knew each other, and I considered you my guide, my friend through it all. It took me years to realize you were nothing but a spiteful and resentful person who preferred games and tricks to the friendship I offered you. You’re mistaken if you think I don’t know you only wanted me around for what I offered and not who I was. Helping you cheat on exams, buying what you said you couldn’t afford, covering for you whenever you snuck out of school. You were never my friend; this much I knew because when you had the “cool kids” around, you never missed a chance to put me down.